Transport aid for wheeled support apparatus

ABSTRACT

A self-propelled transport aid for wheeled structures is advantageously provided. The transport aid generally includes a chassis, a lift assembly operatively supported thereby, and preferably a wheel capturing apparatus operatively united with the lift assembly. The wheel capturing apparatus has a first configuration for receipt of a wheel upon a wheel landing of the apparatus, and a second configuration for retention of the wheel received upon the wheel landing in the first configuration, wherein the first configuration of the wheel capturing apparatus is associated with a down position thereof. Alternate means for receiving and retaining a portion of a wheeled structure are further disclosed.

This is a regular utility application filed under 35 U.S.C. §111(a)claiming priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e)(1), of provisional applicationSer. No. 60/574,338 having a filing date of May 25, 2004.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention generally relates to transport and/or liftingdevices or aids, more particularly, to a transport device for receipt ofa portion of a wheeled support platform, for instance, hospital beds,stretchers, gurney, etc., more particularly, a frame member or groundengaging wheel thereof.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Wheeled support apparatuses or platforms of a variety of sizes andshapes are known to be available for the transport of persons,equipment, goods, etc., from one location to another. In furtherance ofeliminating, at least minimizing, the strain and pain of manuallypushing or pulling such wheeled support platforms, a variety of lifting,moving and/or transport devices are known to be available. Especiallychallenging for moving about are wheeled support platforms characterizedby at least one pair or set of casters, for example, hospital beds whichare particularly cumbersome and difficult to move or generally transportwithin a healthcare facility or the like. As is well documented, workrelated musculoskeletal disorders, such tendinitis and low back pain,account for $20 billion in worker's compensation costs each year, andapproximately one third of all workday injuries.

Heretofore known devices or apparatus for moving wheeled supportplatforms generally, and hospital beds more particularly, generallysuffer from a variety of shortcomings. For example, the StatMover(www.statmover.com) utilizes two clamps to mimic a hand graspingtechnique in furtherance of manual bed moving and transport. In additionto a generally weak interface between the device and the bed (i.e., thebed is easily detachable from the clamps), bed maneuvering via thedevice is difficult due in part to minimal power and/or traction, and ageneral device configuration which results in a functionally restrainingor limiting “length” for the device. Such device shortcomings, if notprohibitive, make bed transport up/down ramps commonly found in healthcare facilities difficult, and elevator loading and unloadingburdensome.

In addition to a grasping or clamped engagement for known moving andtransport devices, a variety of hitch mechanisms are also available, asfor instance via those from Dane Industries, Inc., or Stamina LiftersPty Ltd. Generally, such devices have ample power, however, the device,with bed in tow, drives like a car pulling a trailer, making itdifficult to generally maneuver the combination, and more particularly,making it nearly impossible to back the unit up as is frequentlyrequired in the course of a transport operation. Furthermore, the bedand the device together are far too long in length to fit intoelevators, as well as to maneuver some of the commonly encountered rampswhich are configured in a switch-back arrangement.

In light of the shortcomings of heretofore known bed moving andtransport apparatuses, it is desirable and advantageous to provide: atransport aid or device which substantially fits below or within thefoot print of the item requiring transport, more particularly, atransporter which substantially underlays a wheeled support platform; alifting mechanism in such device which removes at least one set ofwheels from ground engagement so as to facilitate transport of a supportplatform equipped with same; a guide structure in such transporter forthe unsupported portion of the wheeled support platform to improvemaneuverability; a mechanism for such transporter which easily,repeatedly, and reliably secures the wheeled support platform to thedevice, i.e., receives and retains a portion of the wheeled supportplatform, e.g., by a frame element or wheel thereof; a transporter thatis readily adapted or inherently adaptable to selectively altercomponents thereof to effectively create a minimal foot print tofacilitate transport operations and/or device storage; and, atransporter which is characterized by a lifting modularity, that is tosay, is adapted to interface with transport specific lifting tools.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A self-propelled transport aid for wheeled structures is advantageouslyprovided. The transport aid includes a chassis, a lift assemblyoperatively supported thereby, and a wheel capturing apparatusoperatively united with the lift assembly. The wheel capturing apparatushas a first configuration for receipt of a wheel upon a wheel landing ofthe apparatus, and a second configuration for retention of the wheelreceived upon the wheel landing in the first configuration, wherein thefirst configuration of the wheel capturing apparatus is associated witha down position thereof. Alternate means for receiving and retaining aportion of a wheeled structure are further disclosed.

The subject transport, lifting or moving apparatus is an electricallypowered motive device that is used to move wheeled support platforms,more particularly, hospital beds, stretchers, gurney, etc. The purposeof using a motorized moving device to move such items is to: (1) preventthe operator from injuring him/herself by over exerting their body; (2)prevent him/her from injuring others; and, (3) reduce the number ofpeople required to move the transportable item for which moving ortransport is sought.

An intuitive control is provided as part of a handle assembly of thedevice for user manipulation in furtherance of moving or transportingthe bed, or bed and patient, throughout the health care facility. Thefurther the lever is depressed, the faster the device will travel. To goin reverse, an operator reverses the lever direction, again, the furtherthe lever is depressed, the faster the device/combination will travel.

The subject device further includes guide arms, more particularly, apair of telescoping steering rails which, first provide stability forthe device when there is no bed engaged, and, second, provide wheeledsupport at the far end of the bed (i.e., opposite the lifting mechanism)to facilitate steering of the unit. Having wheeled support at the farend of the bed prevents the bed from wanting to swing outward when it isbeing turned around corners, thus increasing the easy maneuverability ofthe device in combination with the bed for transport.

The subject device is especially advantageous in that it substantiallyfits below or under the bed for which transport is sought. Generally,the overall length of the device in combination with the bed is only afew inches greater than the length of the bed itself. This isparticularly critical for a bed transported using the subject device tofit most elevators, and to permit 360 degree rotation and generalmaneuverability in tight areas often encountered in health care/hospitalenvironments or settings.

Bed support structure or structures, i.e., towing interfaces, mayadvantageously be received or other wise integrated at/with a liftingplate of the lift assembly, as by a yoke or arms. In one embodiment, ahook for receiving and retaining a portion of a frame is provided, andin another embodiment, a wheel trap assembly is contemplated forreceiving and retaining a wheel of a wheeled support apparatus.

As will be more fulled developed and described, to move a supportstructure equipped with wheels, one of two pairs thereof are positionedfor receipt on/in on the wheel trap assemblies of the transporter. Useractuation of a lifting mechanism raises the trap assemblies, therebycapturing the wheels therein, and thereafter lifts an end of the wheeledsupport apparatus. By lifting a pair of the bed's wheels slightly offthe ground, the wheels of the pair are effectively removed (i.e.,operably or functionally removed), and are replaced or substituted witha motorized drive wheel, or drive wheel assembly, of the subject device.By this arrangement, the bed and the subject device achieve a verysecure weight bearing interface, each essentially integrated or unitedinto a single driven assembly which provides for suprememaneuverability.

Upon arrival of the bed at the desired location or destination, thelifting mechanism is deactivated in furtherance of lowering thepreviously elevated portion of the bed, more particularly, the set ofwheels received and retained within the trap assemblies. Once thepreviously trapped wheels have been lowered to the ground, disengagementof the device from the bed is possible.

Lifting up two of the wheels of the bed causes half of the weight of thebed to be redistributed onto and through the subject device. Having halfthe bed's weight on the drive assembly provides a great deal of tractionfor the device in transport, which, combined with the device's powerfulelectric motor, makes moving beds up to 1,800 pounds very easy, even upcarpeted ramps. More specific features and advantages obtained in viewof those features will become apparent with reference to the drawingfigures and DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring now to the drawings wherein like numerals are used todesignate like parts of the invention throughout the figures:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view, from slightly above and behind, of thetransport aid or apparatus of the subject invention;

FIG. 1A is an enlarged view of the base of the apparatus of FIG. 1, aportion of a housing thereof broken away to show underlying detail;

FIG. 2 illustrates a fragmentary view of the transport apparatus of FIG.1 equipped with bed supporting structures, more particularly, wheel trapassemblies in combination with a yoke, the assemblies positioned forreceipt of wheels of a wheeled bed;

FIG. 3 is a view as FIG. 2, the apparatus equipped with bed supportingstructures, more particularly, wheel trap assemblies in combination withpivot arms supporting each assembly, the assemblies positioned forreceipt of wheels of a wheeled bed;

FIG. 4 is an elevation end view of the apparatus of FIG. 3, the bedsupporting structures shown in a stowed condition to facilitate, amongother things, apparatus storage;

FIG. 5 is a view as FIG. 2, the apparatus equipped with a variant of thebed supporting structures of FIG. 3, the structures positioned in awheel retaining condition, the arms in an elevated condition;

FIG. 6 is a view of as FIG. 2, the apparatus equipped with bedsupporting structures, more particularly, frame hooks in combinationwith a yoke, the structures positioned for retention of a portion of aframe of a framed bed;

FIG. 7 illustrates the wheel trap assembly of FIG. 2 in a readiedcondition for receipt of a bed wheel therein; and,

FIG. 8 shows the wheel trap assembly of FIG. 7 in a wheel retainingconfiguration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As a preliminary matter, the transport apparatus 10 of the subjectinvention is generally shown in FIG. 1, and more particularly shown inFIGS. 2, 3, 5 & 6 equipped with bed support structures 12, each of whichis adapted, or readily adaptable for receipt and retention of a portionof a bed or other such structure for which transport is sought. Amongother things, a lifting assembly 14 of the apparatus of the subjectinvention is generally shown in FIG. 1A, with FIGS. 7 & 8 illustratingfeatures and elemental interrelationships of a wheel trap assembly 16 ofthe subject invention, more particularly, the trap assembly of the bedsupport structure of FIG. 2. As should be readily appreciated withreference to the figures, and as will be further developed, the subjecttransport apparatus advantageously, but not necessarily, has associatedwith it a modularity, that is to say, the apparatus of FIG. 1 may beselectively equipped, by various means illustrated and otherwisegenerally known, with the illustrated bed support structures, orvariants thereof, as the transport circumstances warrant, and/or the bedsupport structure, or structures, may be readily adapted to facilitate aspecific transport job.

Referring now to FIGS. 1, 1A, and 2, the transport and/or movingapparatus 10 of the subject invention generally includes a base 18,which comprises a chassis 20 (see especially FIG. 1A), a handle assembly22, and spaced apart guide or guiding arms 24. The handle assembly 22and guide arms 24 generally extend from the base 18, preferably, but notnecessarily as depicted in FIG. 1A, and may be directly or indirectlysupported thereby, e.g., in the case of the guide arms, supported by abase or body housing 26.

The transporter 10 further generally includes drive 28 and liftassemblies 14, each of which are advantageously operatively supported bythe chassis 20 (FIG. 1A). As shown, and is well know in the art, thedrive assembly 28 generally includes a power source 30, moreparticularly a rechargeable power source, driven wheels 32, and asteering knuckle 34 or the like. The lift assembly 14 generally includesan actuatable linkage 36 for raising/lowering an end of a transportablestructure, e.g., a bed, via a towing structure, e.g., a bed supportstructure 12 as shown in FIG. 2, which is adapted to support a bed endin furtherance of disengaging a set of floor or ground engaging wheelsthereof from the floor or ground.

With particular reference now to FIG. 1A, the linkage 36 of the liftassembly 14 of the transporter 10 is generally operatively interposedbetween a link actuator 38 and a lift bracket or plate 40, or 40 a(contrast the lift assemblies of FIGS. 1, 3, 5, and 6, with that of FIG.2). The link actuator or mechanism 38 is generally supported, at an endthereof as shown, to a portion of the body chassis 20, e.g., a framemember or element. The linkage advantageously, but not necessarily,includes united link arms 42, e.g., bell cranks, from which extend linkbars 44, the free ends of the bars being joined to/with the lift plate40/40 a, as shown, e.g., via a knuckle joint arrangement or the like.Intermediate each of their opposing ends, the united link arms 42 arepivotally supported by opposingly paired link blocks 46. First arm ends48 of the united link arms 42 are advantageously supported by a slider50 of the link actuator 38 while second arm ends thereof (not visible)are joined to/with the lift plate 40/40 a (not shown) as the link bars.As should be readily appreciated with respect to FIG. 1A, lift plate“up,” and FIG. 2, lift plate “down,” with actuation of the liftmechanism 38, the slider 50 translates towards the lift plate 40/40 a,as indicated, causing counter clock-wise rotation/pivoting of thevisible link arm 42 of FIG. 1A, resulting in lift plate travel from theup (FIG. 1/1A) to the down (FIG. 2) positions illustrated.

As will be further and subsequently developed with discussion of theillustrated bed support structures, the lift plate 40/40 a of the liftassembly 14 functions to essentially interface with, i.e., receive, thebed support structures 12, either collectively (e.g., see FIGS. 2 & 6)or separately (e.g., see FIGS. 3 & 5). Consistent with the priordiscussion of lift mechanism operation, the lift plate 40/40 a isadapted to receive ends of the bell cranks 42 and link bars 44, and isintended to be readily adapted to support or carry a variety of bedsupport or engaging structures, more particularly, to mechanicallyinterface with a portion thereof or linkage therefore, for example asingle beam or yoke 54, e.g., FIGS. 2 & 6, or paired arms 56, e.g.,FIGS. 3 & 5.

Referring now specifically to FIGS. 1/1A, the handle assembly 22 of thesubject invention generally includes an operator interface 60, moreparticularly a controller, supported at an end of an arm 62 of thehandle assembly 22. The operator interface includes paired hand holds64, as shown, and further advantageously, but not necessarily, includesa variety of controllers for actuating, among other things, the liftassembly 14 as well as the drive assembly 28 for the transporter 10.

The arm 62 of the handle assembly 22 preferably includes a pivot linkage66, or is otherwise capable of articulation as indicated (FIG. 1), so asto permit the operator interface 60 to be positioned at a selectoperative angle relative to the horizon to facilitate transportoperations, e.g., the operator interface 60 may swing through an angularrange from at least vertical, i.e., 90° (FIG. 1) to at least horizontal,i.e., 0°. Furthermore, and advantageously, the handle assembly 22 isselectively received upon or integrated with a portion of the driveassembly 28, e.g, the steering knuckle 34 as illustrated (FIG. 1A), soas to, as the task warrants, alter the “forward” reach of the handleassembly 22, more particularly, the operator interface 60 thereof.Advantageously, a “loaded” length dimension for the apparatus 10, i.e.,the distance between a trailing or free bed edge and the operatorinterface 60 of the handle assembly 22, is to be minimized, with“savings” of even an inch in length critical to loading into and onto anelevator, or maneuvering ramp switchbacks. Essentially, by means of astem 68 adapted to be adjustably received the steering knuckle 34 of thedrive assembly 28 (FIG. 1A), the proximity of the arm joint 66 laterallywith respect to the base 18 can be manipulated or regulated.

With continued reference to FIGS. 1, 1A, and 2, and especially FIGS. 1 &2, the guide or guiding arms 24 extend from the base 18 of thetransporter, and each include a floor or ground engaging wheel 70 at afree end thereof. Preferably, but not necessarily, the guide arms 24 aretelescopic in character, that is to say, a reversibly extendable armsegment 72 is selective received within, as shown, or over an armsegment or portion 74 which is fixed to the base 18. Detents or otherknown quick affixation means secure the arm segments or portions to eachother in furtherance of advantageously positioning the guide arm wheels70 proximal or adjacent wheels of a bed or the like. Notionally, theguide arm wheels are intended to supplant the rearward/rearward most setof wheels in a bed received for transport utilizing the subjecttransporter, especially where the rearward/rearward most wheel setincludes casters. With such arrangement, greater stability of the bed isachieved in all aspects of the moving or transport operation.

Preferred, alternate bed receiving/supporting structures are best seenwith reference to FIGS. 2, 3 and 5 on the one hand, and FIG. 6 on theother hand. Prior to a description of each style of illustrated bedreceiving/supporting structure, including variants thereof, a briefpresentation of advantageous, no-limiting mechanisms by which suchstructures are supported, either directly or indirectly as the case maybe, by the lift assembly, more particularly, the lifting plate orbracket thereof, is warranted.

With particular reference to FIGS. 2 & 6, a beam or yoke 54 is showncarrying bed supporting structures 12 at opposing ends thereof, with theyoke 54 in turn operatively linked, i.e., attached, to the lifting plateor bracket 40/40 a. The yoke 54 may be integrated with the lifting plate40/40 a using well known and traditional fastening means, e.g., nuts andbolts as contemplated in FIG. 2 with respect to plate 40 a, or the yoke54 may be adapted for easy on/off positioning with respect to plate 40,for instance to facilitate bed support structure change-outs, apparatusstorage, and/or apparatus maneuvering when “empty.”

For instance, as shown in FIG. 6, keyways 80 are provided in the yoke 54for reversible receipt of a head 82 of a bolt 81 or the like, moregenerally a fastener head. The keyway 80 includes a first portion 84dimensioned to receive the head 82 therethrough, and a second portion 86extending therefrom dimensioned so as to permit sliding receipt of ashank 88 of the bolt or fastener 81, and thereby define a “home”position therefore. As illustrated, the yoke 54 is self-locking withrespect to the lifting plate 40, the yoke 54 downwardly sliding upon thefastener shanks 88, via the keyways 80, such that the shank 88transitions from a position within the first portion 84 of the keyway 80to a position within the second portion 86 thereof. A furthersupplemental support plate 90 may be provided for selective orreversible integration with the lift plate 40 as shown, or suchstructure may be inherently provided in a lifting plate/bracket per se,the idea being to reduce loading upon the keyway receiving elements,i.e., more efficiently distribute the load of the lifting mechanism atthe lifting plate. It is to be understood that alternate functionalequivalents of lift assembly/support structure interface are likewisecontemplated and considered to be within the scope of the subjectdisclosure.

Referring now to FIGS. 3 & 5, each bed support structure 12 is showndepending from an arm 56 or the like. It should be appreciated that thelift plate 40 of the lift assembly 14 illustrated is preferably, but notnecessarily, configured so as to include further support plate 90, andthat each arm 56, in or at a free end portion thereof, advantageouslyincludes a keyway 80, each of said features as previously described inrelation to FIG. 6. The arms 56 of the bed support structures 12, inaddition to having the on/off functionality of yoke 54 of the structureof FIG. 6, and attendant advantages thereof, further preferably includea pivot functionality in furtherance of, among other things, bed supportstructure stowage.

With continued reference to FIGS. 3 & 5, and specific reference to FIG.4, it should be readily appreciated that each of the support structurearms 56 may be selectively, and readily manipulated with respect to eachof the fasteners or hangars 81 of the lift plate 40, more particularly,freely pivoted about a pivot axis 92, delimited by the fastener 81, fromthe arrangement of FIG. 3 or 5, with an arm alignment such that thefastener shank 88 is received in the second keyway portion 86 from thefirst keyway portion 84. In furtherance of “locking” the supportstructure arms 56 in the illustrated configuration of FIG. 4, the arm 56is provided with a camming surface 94 adjacent the keyway 80, moreparticularly, adjacent the home portion 86 thereof. The camming surfaceor portion 94 of the arm 56 is free/clear of the secondary support plate90 during a swing of the arm 56 through the pivot motion, however, uponsubsequent return receipt of the fastener shank 88 to the first keywayportion 84 from the second keyway portion 86, the arm 56 is positionedsuch that the camming arm portion 94 catches a portion of thesupplemental or secondary support plate 90, i.e., an interference fit isestablished between the arm 56 and the secondary support plate 90 so asto prohibit unintended arm rotation.

With reference now to FIGS. 6-8, specific bed engaging structures of thesubject invention are illustrated, more particularly, a hook 100 (FIG.6) for receiving and retaining a portion of a bed frame, e.g., abariatric bed frame, and a wheel trap assembly 16, namely that of FIG.2, for receiving (FIG. 7) and retaining (FIG. 8) a wheel of a wheeledbed or the like. A brief description of the frame engaging structure ofFIG. 6 will preface a detailed discussion of the elements andinterrelationships of the wheel trap assembly of FIG. 2/7, as well asthe points of distinction for the assemblies of FIGS. 3 & 5.

The hook style bed support structure of FIG. 6 generally includes hook100, more particularly, a frame platform 102, i.e., a landing, extendingfrom an end of a shank 104. The shank 104, e.g., a segment of angle ironor the like as illustrated, is adapted so as to be variably positionableupon the yoke 54, more particularly, the frame platform 102 “height,”relative to the yoke 54, may be operator selected commensurate with thenature of the frame or frame portion to be received thereupon. Althoughthe frame platform 102 may extend from the shank 104 so as to beperpendicular thereto, it is advantageous that the platform 102 be at anangle θ of about 10° from the horizon, or more generally within therange of about 5-20°. Furthermore, as shown, the frame platform 102 ofthe hook 100 advantageously includes a stop or catch 106, e.g., a rim,lip, etc. at a free end thereof so as to facilitate retention of a framereceived thereupon.

Referring now generally to FIGS. 7 & 8, and specifically FIG. 7, thewheel trap assembly 16 of the subject invention generally includes awheel plate or platform 120, for receiving a wheel of a bed or the like,hingedly or pivotingly supported within portions of a plate frame 122,e.g., at free ends of opposingly paired arms 124 as shown, for pivotingwith respect thereto when the wheel trap assembly 16 is raised fromground or floor engagement, more particularly, when the plate frame 122is raised from the ground or floor (i.e., contrast FIG. 2 or 3 with FIG.5). The assembly further preferably includes a wheel stop 126, e.g., atransverse frame element such as a bar, rod, etc., further details andthe functionality thereof to be subsequently discussed in relation toFIG. 8.

The pivoting wheel platform 120 generally includes a curved or arcuatewheel landing surface 128, i.e., a wheel cup, adjacent a ramped edgeportion 130 of the wheel platform 120 having a ramp 132. While the ramp132 of the ramped edge portion 130 facilitates ingress/egress of a wheelinto the trap 16, more particularly, the wheel landing surface 128, thewheel landing surface 128 is intended to cup or cradle a wheel receivedthereon during pivoting of the wheel plate 120 within the frame 122. Asillustrated, the width dimension of the wheel landing surface ispreferably, but not necessarily, less than the width dimension of theadjacent ramp portion of the platform.

Opposingly paired sidewalls 134 upwardly extend from opposing side edgesof the ramp portion 130 of the platform 120, and “rearwardly,” i.e.,longitudinally, extend to about the depth of a terminal edge of thecurved wheel landing surface 128. Each of the ramp portion sidewalls 134is adapted to receive a wheel guide 136 at one end thereof, say a“front” end thereof (i.e., adjacent the ramp portion 130 of the platform120), and a support wheel 138 at another end thereof (i.e., a “rear” endthereof, more particularly, adjacent the landing surface 128).

The wheel platform 120 is pivotally linked to free ends of the frame122, i.e., arms 124, at the sidewalls 134 thereof, more particularly,proximal the front ends thereof so as to define a pivot axis 140 for theplatform 120. Each of the ramp portion sidewalls 134 further include anoutwardly extending tab 142 at the front or forward end thereof, in thevicinity the free end of the frame 122, i.e., proximal to the pivot axis140 of the platform 120. With pivoting of the platform 120, the tab 142of the platform sidewall 134 forms an interference fit with a portion ofits adjacent frame member or element 124, namely, a notch 144 thereof,and thus prevents further pivoting of the platform (FIG. 8).

It should be readily appreciated that the subject wheel trapdescription, although laid out with respect to FIG. 7, i.e., the wheeltrap assembly of FIG. 2, substantially applies to the trap assembliesillustrated in FIGS. 3 & 5. With reference thereto, common elements,either individually or in the context of a subassembly, e.g., the wheelplate or platform, should be readily identifiable. Structural departuresfor the illustrated assemblies are primarily related to the frameconfiguration for the assembly, more particularly, its adaptation forreceipt upon an arm, yoke etc. (e.g., contrast FIGS. 2 & 3), or, itsadaptation for a select spatial arrangement/configuration for the trapassembly in relation to the base of the apparatus (e.g., contrast FIGS.3 & 5). In light of the foregoing, it is to be understood that a varietyof permutations and/or equivalents of the described and/or illustratedtrap assembly are possible without departing from the advantageousfunctionality to be next described.

With continued reference to FIGS. 7 & 8, the trap assembly 16 of thesubject invention, more particularly the wheel plate or platform 120, isshown in FIG. 7 in a readied condition for receipt of a wheel, and inFIG. 8 in a wheel captured or wheel retaining position. With the trap 16substantially engaged with the ground or floor, as FIG. 2, a bed wheelis easily rolled for receipt upon the wheel landing surface 128 of thewheel platform 120, facilitated by the inclusion of the ramp 132 andwheel guides 136. Once the bed is received within the frame 122 of thetrap assembly 16, or more generally, received by the bed supportstructure (see also FIG. 6), the lift mechanism 38 of the lift assembly14 is actuated in furtherance of raising the lift plate 40 thereof, andthusly, the bed support structures.

Upon disengagement of the frame 122 of trap assembly 16 from the ground,the wheel platform 120 progressively pivots (FIG. 7), the pivot anglebeing directly related to the height of the frame 122 from the floor.With such action, a cradled wheel within the assembly 16 is essentially“lowered,” all be it minimally, within the frame 122 of the assembly 16until the bed wheel contacts the wheel stop 126. As the distance betweenthe pivot axis 140 and the wheel stop 126 is advantageously less thanthe diameter of the wheel, the wheel being thereby trapped in the frame122, more particularly, between the wheel platform 120, moreparticularly the ramped edges portion 130 thereof, and the wheel stop126.

At attainment of a select platform angle, which may be less than amaximum platform pivot angle delimited by the interference fit of theplatform 120 relative to the frame 122, i.e., as by receipt of the tab142 in the notch 144, during the raising of the lifting plate 40 of thelift assembly 14, the support wheels 138 of the trap assembly 16 contactthe floor or ground surface, having previously moved into position foroperative ground engagement while the bed wheels are effectively cradledby the wheel landing surface 128. With such arrangement, thesupplemental wheels functionally supplant or replace the bed wheels 138.In such condition, the mass of the bed is maintained upon the ground orfloor, with supreme guided bed transport enabled by a combination of theguide wheels 70 of the guide arms 24 and the supplemental wheels 138 ofthe trap assembly 16. Further raising of the bed support structureadvantageously disengages the supplemental trap wheels 138 from thefloor, the end of the bed adjacent the base 18 of the apparatus 10 beingthereby fully supported by the bed support structure. With the shift inbed mass from the floor to the apparatus, more particularly, the base 18thereof, enhanced traction and increased mobility is thereby gained.

In addition to those illustrated and/or discussed, there are othervariations of the subject invention, including subassemblies thereof,some of which will become obvious to those skilled in the art. It willbe understood that this disclosure, in many respects, is onlyillustrative. Changes may be made in details, particularly in matters ofshape, size, material, and arrangement of parts, as the case may be,without exceeding the scope of the invention.

1. A bed transport apparatus comprising: a. a base comprising a chassis,a handle assembly and spaced apart bed guiding arms extending from saidbase, each of said guide arms including a floor engaging guide wheel forselect positioning adjacent a floor engaging wheel of a bed; and, b. alift assembly operatively supported by said chassis, said lift assemblycomprising bed support structures adapted to receive and retain aportion of a bed in furtherance of disengaging a set of floor engagingwheels thereof from a floor, and an actuatable linkage for raising andlowering said bed support structures.
 2. The bed transport apparatus ofclaim 1 wherein an operational spacing for said bed support structuresexceeds a spacing for said spaced apart guide arms.
 3. The bed transportapparatus of claim 1 wherein said handle assembly is selectivelymountable at said base.
 4. The bed transport apparatus of claim 1wherein said handle assembly includes a pivotable arm.
 5. The bedtransport apparatus of claim 4 wherein said pivotable arm is selectivelyreceived at said base such that either a leading edge of said base or apivot point for said pivotable arm defines a leading structure for saidapparatus.
 6. The bed transport apparatus of claim 1 wherein said bedsupport structures are reversibly integrated with a portion of saidactuatable linkage.
 7. The bed transport apparatus of claim 6 whereinsaid bed support structures are reversibly integrated via a yoke adaptedfor receipt upon said portion of said actuatable linkage.
 8. The bedtransport apparatus of claim 6 wherein said bed support structures arereversibly integrated via arms, each adapted for receipt upon saidportion of said actuatable linkage.
 9. The bed transport apparatus ofclaim 1 wherein said bed support structures are carried by a portion ofsaid actuatable linkage by a yoke.
 10. The bed transport apparatus ofclaim 1 wherein each support structure of said bed support structures iscarried by a portion of said actuatable linkage by an arm.
 11. The bedtransport apparatus of claim 10 wherein said arm is capable ofarticulation with respect to a lift bracket of said lift assembly. 12.The bed transport apparatus of claim 1 wherein each support structure ofsaid bed support structures is adapted to receive and retain a portionof a frame of the bed.
 13. The bed transport apparatus of claim 12wherein said each support structure includes a hook.
 14. The bedtransport apparatus of claim 13 wherein said hook includes a landing anda shank, said landing extending from said shank.
 15. The bed transportapparatus of claim 14 wherein said landing extends from said shank at anangle within the range of about minus 5° to minus 20° from 90°.
 16. Thebed transport apparatus of claim 1 wherein each support structure ofsaid bed support structures is adapted to receive and retain a floorengaging wheel of the bed.
 17. The bed transport apparatus of claim 16wherein each support structure of said bed support structures comprisesa bed wheel trap assembly for receiving and retaining the bed wheel. 18.The bed transport apparatus of claim 17 wherein said bed wheel trapassembly comprises a wheel receiving platform pivotally supported by aframe of said trap assembly.
 19. The bed transport apparatus of claim 18wherein said wheel receiving platform pivots with respect to said frameupon raising said trap assembly from the floor.
 20. The bed transportapparatus of claim 18 wherein pivoting of said wheel receiving platformtraps a bed wheel between a portion of said wheel receiving platform anda portion of said frame of said trap assembly.
 21. The bed transportapparatus of claim 19 wherein pivot travel of said wheel receivingplatform is limited by cooperative engagement of a portion of said wheelreceiving platform with a portion of said frame of said trap assembly.22. A self-propelled transport aid for wheeled structures comprising achassis, a lift assembly operatively supported thereby, and a wheelcapturing apparatus operatively united with said lift assembly, saidwheel capturing apparatus having a first configuration for receipt of awheel upon a wheel landing of said apparatus, and a second configurationfor retention of the wheel received upon said wheel landing in saidfirst configuration, said first configuration associated with a downposition for said wheel capturing apparatus.
 23. A wheel trap assemblyfor a receiving and retaining a wheel of a wheeled support structure infurtherance of mechanically transporting the wheeled support structurewith a transporting apparatus, said wheel trap assembly comprising aframe and a wheel receiving structure, said wheel receiving structurepivotably supported within said frame, a wheel received upon said wheelreceiving structure being shifted, with pivoting of said wheel receivingstructure with respect to said frame, to a wheel landing surfacesupported by said frame.